Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Friedl · Lienhart · Danso · Laimer · P. Wimmer · Seiwald · Sabitzer · Lazaro · Baumgartner · R. Schmid · Bachmann

Austria relies on a high press and verticality within a 3-5-2 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and break quickly to catch the opposition off guard. The team aims to control the middle third and use quick transitions to attack.

Bachmann operates in goal to oversee the defensive unit. The back three of Lienhart, Friedl, and Danso functions as a zonal line that can shift left or right to cover wide areas. Lienhart plays as a ball playing defender to find teammates in midfield, while Friedl and Danso are dominant in the air to defend crosses. They often set the offside trap by playing a high line to squeeze the space between the lines.

The midfield is the engine of the Austria lineup. This three-man midfield features Seiwald acting as a pivot to shield the defence, while Sabitzer drives forward with the ball to connect the lines. Sabitzer uses his passing range to find teammates in advanced positions. R. Schmid plays as an attacking ten in the hole, looking to find space between the lines and arrive late into the box. Lazaro and Laimer provide the width, acting as wide midfielders who can track back to help the defenders or overlap to support the front line.

In the attacking phase, the team uses a two-man partnership. Baumgartner and P. Wimmer work to pin the last defender and create space for the midfielders. Baumgartner looks to make runs in behind the defence, while P. Wimmer uses his movement to find pockets of space and link up play. The attacking unit presses from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. This creates opportunities for Lazaro and Laimer to whip it in from wide areas or for R. Schmid to play through the lines.

A major tactical advantage is the numerical superiority in midfield, which helps the team win the second ball and recycle possession quickly. The coordinated press in waves makes it difficult for opponents to play out from the back. Additionally, the width provided by Laimer and Lazaro allows the team to spread wide and stretch the defence, creating gaps in the middle for Sabitzer or R. Schmid to exploit.

This 3-5-2 formation is defined by its aggressive pressing and verticality. It is most effective against teams that struggle to play under pressure or fail to manage transitions in the wide areas.